Printing device and method for locating a media jam

Abstract

A printing device is provided that includes a housing having a media path therethrough. The printing device includes at least one sensor for detecting when a media jam occurs in the media path. At least one indicator is operatively associated with a processor to provide a series of indications that can be used to locate the media jam. The indicators can comprise lights, audible indicators or graphical indicators.

1. A method of locating a media jam in a printing device, wherein the printing device includes a control panel, comprising:
 detecting a media jam in the printing device and activating a corresponding one of a plurality of indicators in response; 
 manipulating a user-operable component disposed in the printing device adjacent the activated indicator; 
 detecting the manipulation of the user-operable component and activating a different one of the plurality of indicators in response; and 
 locating the media jam at a location adjacent the last activated one of the plurality of indicators, wherein the plurality of indicators and the user-operable components are spaced from the control panel. 
 
   
   
     2. The method of  claim 1  wherein the activating comprises illuminating an indicator light. 
   
   
     3. The method of  claim 2  wherein the indicator light is an LED. 
   
   
     4. The method of  claim 1  wherein each indicator comprises an audible signal. 
   
   
     5. The method of  claim 1  wherein each indicator comprises a graphical representation. 
   
   
     6. The method of  claim 5  wherein the graphical representations are provided on the control panel. 
   
   
     7. The method of  claim 5  wherein the graphical representations are provided on a computer operatively associated with the printing device. 
   
   
     8. The method of  claim 1 , comprising:
 repeating the manipulating and the detecting for at least one additional one of the plurality of indicators and at least one additional user-operable component. 
 
   
   
     9. A printing device including a control panel, comprising:
 a media path adapted for moving a printable media through the device; 
 at least one sensor operatively associated with the media path to detect the presence of jammed media in the media path; 
 a plurality of indicators disposed in the device; 
 a plurality of user-operable components each disposed in the device adjacent a corresponding one of the plurality of indicators, the components spaced from the control panel; and 
 a processor arrangement configured to sequentially activate at least two of the indicators in response to the detection of the jammed media followed by the detection of manipulation of at least one of the user-operable components, the sequential activation defining an order of manipulation of the user-operable components to locate the jammed media. 
 
   
   
     10. The printing device of  claim 9  wherein each indicator comprises a light. 
   
   
     11. The printing device of  claim 10  wherein said light comprises an LED. 
   
   
     12. The printing device of  claim 9  wherein each indicator comprises an audible signal. 
   
   
     13. The printing device of  claim 12 , wherein the audible signal is a verbal instruction. 
   
   
     14. The printing device of  claim 9  wherein each indicator comprises a graphical indicator. 
   
   
     15. The printing device of  claim 14  wherein said graphical indicators are displayed on said control panel of said printing device. 
   
   
     16. The printing device of  claim 14  wherein said graphical indicators are displayed on a computer monitor of a computer associated with said printer. 
   
   
     17. The printing device of  claim 9 , wherein a first one of the at least two indicators activates in response to the detection of the jammed media, and wherein a second one of the at least two indicators activates in response to the manipulation of the user-operable component corresponding to the first one of the at least two indicators. 
   
   
     18. The printing device of  claim 17 , wherein the first one of the at least two indicators deactivates in response to the manipulation of the user-operable component corresponding to the first one of the at least two indicators. 
   
   
     19. The printing device of  claim 18 , wherein the first one of the at least two indicators remains activated until the manipulation of the user-operable component corresponding to the first one of the at least two indicators. 
   
   
     20. The printing device of  claim 17 , wherein, once activated, the at least two indicators remain activated until the jammed media has been located. 
   
   
     21. The printing device of  claim 9 , wherein a third one of the at least two indicators activates in response to the manipulation of the user-operable component corresponding to the second one of the at least two indicators. 
   
   
     22. The printing device of  claim 9 , wherein each indicator is positioned closer to the corresponding user-operable component than to any other of the user-operable components. 
   
   
     23. The printing device of  claim 9 , wherein the user-operable components include at least one of a door or a lever. 
   
   
     24. A printing device including a control panel, comprising:
 a housing; 
 a media path adapted for moving a printable media through said housing; 
 at least one sensor operatively associated with said media path to detect the presence of jammed media in said media path; and 
 indicator means for providing a sequence of indications to locate the jammed media, wherein said indicator means are positioned adjacent corresponding user-operable components of the printing device, wherein the components are spaced from the control panel and wherein said indicator means are configured to activate sequentially in response to the detection of the jammed media and subsequent detection of manipulation of at least one of the user-operable components, so as to define an order of manipulation of the user-operable components. 
 
   
   
     25. The printing device of  claim 24  wherein said indicator means comprises a plurality of lights. 
   
   
     26. The printing device of  claim 25  wherein said indicator means comprises a graphical indicator. 
   
   
     27. The printing device of  claim 24  wherein said indicator means comprises an audible signal. 
   
   
     28. The printing device of  claim 24 , wherein a first indicator means activates in response to the detection of the jammed media, and wherein a second indicator means activates in response to the manipulation of the user-operable component corresponding to the first indicator means. 
   
   
     29. A printing device, comprising:
 a media path adapted for moving a printable media through the device; 
 at least one sensor operatively associated with the media path to detect the presence of jammed media in the media path; 
 a plurality of indicators disposed in the device; 
 a plurality of user-operable components each disposed in the device adjacent a corresponding one of the plurality of indicators; and 
 a processor arrangement configured to sequentially activate at least two of the indicators in response to the detection of the jammed media followed by the detection of manipulation of at least one of the user-operable components, the sequential activation defining an order of manipulation of the user-operable components to locate the jammed media.